Today's News: Our Take - Judge Judy Returns Fine China to Producer: I Refuse to Be Part of the Drama

Friday

Mar 15, 2013 at 6:06 PM

Judge Judy Sheindlinis a no-nonsense woman on the bench and apparently in real life too.Days after the TV star was hit with a lawsuit for china she bought from her producer Randy Douthit on her syndicated show, she is ...

TV Guide

Judge Judy Sheindlin is a no-nonsense woman on the bench - and apparently in real life too.

Days after the TV star was hit with a lawsuit for china she bought from her producer Randy Douthit on her syndicated show, she is returning the items in question to avoid further trouble, TMZ reports.

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On Tuesday, Douthit's estranged wife, Patric Jones filed a suit claiming that he sold Sheindlin the couple's expensive Christofle tableware for only $50,000, even though Jones claims it's worth $514,421.14. Because the sale was done without Jones' consent, she claimed that Sheindlin should return the china or pay the rest of what she believes she's owed. "This very unpleasant lady doesn't give a hoot about dishes. She cares about pressuring her ex-husband and the way to do that is to attempt to embarrass me," Judge Judy told TMZ in a statement. "She and her attorney want a circus, and I refuse to be a further participant in their drama."

For now, it seems Judge Judy will not be compensated for the $50,000 she paid for the dishes and flatware. "As Ms. Jones and her attorney assert, the items are community property, they are being packed and returned to Mr. Douthit and she can proceed with her claim in divorce court," she continued. "Anyway, my husband and I eat out most of the time."

Judge Judy being sued over fine china

Douthit apologized to Judge Judy in a statement he gave to TMZ about the lawsuit. "The dishes and silverware that Ms. Jones describes as community property are being sent to me. I am truly sorry that was brought into this domestic dispute. She relied on my statement to her that the court had authorized the sale."

He also noted that, although his soon-to-be-ex-wife estimates the dishes are worth $500,000, their divorce judge values the items at approximately $125,000. "I agree with [my ex] that as community property she is entitled to half their value. She herself has valued them at more than $500,000. I do not want them and she is certainly welcome to have them as that is what she says she wants."

He added: "When I get the cashier's check for $250,000, I will deliver them to her." And we thought the disagreements on Judge Judy were catty!

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